Science is creative; it requires new ideas, new patterns, and new solutions to old problems. A deep understanding of the periodic table is the most critical knowledge in chemistry. I want my students to experience the table and conceptualize its trends in a deeper way.
In this age of scientific inquiry, molecular modeling, digital classrooms, and differentiation, I felt downright guilty about any teacher-centered time. My classroom is flipped after all. I’m not supposed to be lecturing, right?
Build a periodic table out of Lego blocks.
Having completed a unit on stoichiometry, I was looking to review with my HS students some key topics before Spring Break. I had received from FLINN scientific their "It's Elementary--March Madness" activity:
Students will proceed through a pre-lab engagement activity, organize element cards based on similarities & trends, discuss trends with the class and then produce a periodic table that includes the trends discussed within the lab.
Students choose a topic and select items to incorporate into a periodic table. Students explore trends related to their own topic and relate to the trends on the actual Periodic Table of Elements.
Powdered aluminum and powdered iodine are mixed together. Adding drops of water to the mixture initiates a reaction.
Powdered manganese and powdered iodine are mixed together. Adding drops of water to the mixture initiates a reaction.
Powdered iron and powdered iodine are mixed together. Adding drops of water to the mixture initiates a reaction.
Powdered nickel and powdered iodine are mixed together. Adding drops of water to the mixture fails to initiate a reaction.
